Origin: Latin suffix -ment
Unemployment has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
the state of being unemployed or not having a job
"unemployment is a serious social evil"
"the rate of unemployment is an indicator of the health of an economy"
The state of having no job; joblessness.
"The recent economic downturn caused a sharp rise in unemployment across the country."
In plain English: Unemployment is when someone who wants to work cannot find a job.
"The high unemployment rate in the city made it difficult for many families to afford rent."
Usage: Unemployment refers to the condition where individuals are without work but actively seeking employment, distinguishing it from being retired or unable to look for jobs. It is commonly used in phrases like "unemployment rate" when discussing economic statistics rather than describing a single person's status directly.
The word unemployment comes from combining the prefix un- with employment. It literally means the state of not being employed.